Produced by the Washington State LegislaturePO Box 40500 • Olympia, WA 98504-0500 • Phone: (360) 786-7573

Washington

State

GRADES K-5

Table of Contents

Know Your Legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

How a Bill Becomes A Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Fun Activities

Help Mr . Bill Become a Law — Maze . . . . . . . . . .5

State Symbols Match Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Connect-the-Dots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Word Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Match Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Capitol Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

What District Do You Live In? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Activities Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Contacting Your Legislator . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Produced by the Washington State LegislaturePO Box 40500 • Olympia, WA 98504-0500 • Phone: (360) 786-7573

Washington

State

2

Washington

State

The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United States president.

What are the political parties?

The members of the two chambers are divided into groups or teams, called “political parties .” The two major parties are the Democrats and the Republicans . The group having the largest number of members is called the “majority party .” The other group is the “minority party .”

What is the Washington State Legislature?Ever wondered who decides if your pet is required to get a rabies shot, how long

a school day can be, or what topics should be covered in your social studies classes? These important decisions are all made by elected

representatives in our state’s capitol at the Washington State Legislature .

The Washington State Legislature makes “rules” or laws that govern our state . The Legislature also decides how much government money can be spent each year by writing the state’s budget . Our State Legislature is divided into two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate .

The Democratic Party mascot is

the donkey.

The Republican Party mascot

is the elephant.

Know Your Legislature

3

Washington state has more glaciers than the other 47 contiguous states combined.

Who are your Legislators?Members of the Legislature or "legislators" serve in either the House of Representatives or in the Senate . Legislators are chosen by the citizens of Washington to represent them and the area where they live . These areas are called districts .

Each member of the Legislature must live in the district that he or she represents . This helps the members of the Legislature to know the people in their district . Each Senator and Representative is responsible for making sure that the people who elected him or her have a voice in all matters concerning the state .

Representatives are elected to serve two-year terms . Senators are elected to serve four-year terms . Currently, 49 Senators and 98 Representatives serve the people of Washington .

The Washington State Legislature is a part-time citizen legislature, which means most of its members have other careers or jobs besides serving in the Legislature, such as being a nurse, farmer, electrician, or teacher .

3

When does your Legislature meet?

Each year the Legislature meets in Olympia to determine and debate issues important to the people of our state . Issues like health care, education, the environment, and the state budget are debated .

The regular session begins every year at the beginning of January and lasts for 105 days in an odd-numbered year and 60 days in even-numbered years .

Know Your Legislature

4

How a Bill Becomes A Law

5

(The Maze solution is on page 12)

Mr. Bill needs help to become a law! Go through the maze and show Mr. bill the right path to take.

Help Mr. Bill Become a Law — Maze

6

(The State Symbols answers are on page 12)

Washington has many official symbols that represent icons that are special to our state. Look at the pictures on the left. Using letters “A” through “V,” match each symbol name to the correct picture. See sample below.

A Pacific Chorus FrogState Amphibian, 2007

B Willow GoldfinchState Bird, 1928

C Square DanceState Dance, 1979

D Steelhead TroutState Fish, 1969

E State Flag1890s

F Coast RhododendronState Flower, 1959

G “Roll On, Columbia, Roll On”State Folk Song, 1987

H Columbian MammothState Fossil, 1998

I AppleState Fruit, 1989

J Petrified WoodState Gem, 1975

K Bluebunch WheatgrassState Grass, 1989

L Green Darner DragonflyState Insect, 1997

M OrcaState Marine Mammal, 2005

N State Seal1889

O The Lady WashingtonState Ship, 2007

P “Washington, My Home”State Song, 1959

Q State TartanA design for the weaving of cloth, 1991

R Western HemlockState Tree, 1947

S Walla Walla Sweet OnionState Vegetable, 2007

T MarmotState Endemic Mammal, 2009

U Palouse FallsState Waterfall, 2014

V Ostrea LuridaState Oyster, 2014

I

State Symbols Match Game

7 (The Connect-the-Dots solution is on page 12)

Connect these dots and you will see one of Washington State’s beautiful animals. In 1951, this little creature was made one of our official state symbols by

a vote of school children in our state. Can you guess what it is?

Connect-the-Dots

8

(The Word Search answers are on page 12)

Search for these legislative terms in the letters below. They may appear in all directions: forward, backward, up, down, or diagonally in the puzzle.

Find each word and draw a circle around it like the sample shown.

Word Search

9

(The Match Game answers are on page 13)

Match the answers on the left with the definitions on the right.

Legislative session held between regular sessions, usually to handle emergencies.

As the President of the Senate, this person presides over the Senate.

The number of legislative districts in Washington State.

A group of Senators or Representatives which schedules hearings to study bills and receive public testimony.

The length of a Senator’s term of office.

Areas where public visitors may observe the Legislature in session.

The length of a Representative’s term of office.

The annual meeting of the Legislature, beginning on the second Monday in January each year.

Presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Lieutenant Governor

Special Session

49

Gallery

Committee

4 years

Regular Session

Speaker of the House

2 years

Match Game

10

1

2

3

4

8

5

7

10

9

6

ACROSS: 2. A Senator is a member of the

__ __ __ __ __ __ .

4. The __ __ __ __ __ of Representatives is one chamber of our legislature.

6. When voting, the legislators vote yea for yes and __ __ __ for no.

8. The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is the building where our Governor and Legislature work.

10. When the Governor rejects a bill, it is called a __ __ __ __ .

DOWN: 1. The legislative session starts in

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ of each year.

3. The months between regular legislative sessions is called __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

5. Members of the Legislature are__ __ __ __ __ __ __ by the citizens of the state.

7. Each __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is represented by one Senator and two Representatives.

9. A __ __ __ __ that is signed by the Governor becomes a law.

WORD LIST

BILLCAPITOLDISTRICTELECTEDHOUSEINTERIMJANUARYNAYSENATEVETO

(The Crossword Puzzle answers are on page 13)

Capitol Crossword PuzzleWashington is home to four of the five longest floating bridges in the world: the Evergreen

Point Floating Bridge, Lacey V. Murrow Memorial

Bridge and Homer M. Hadley Bridge over Lake Washington, and the Hood Canal Bridge connecting the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.

11

Snake River

Colum

bia River

Riffe Lake

Colu

mbi

a Ri

ver

Lake Chelan

13

12

16

15

20

18

1749

19

24

35

312825

22

39

40

42

29

2730

4733

11

4134

37

26

45

44

38

4836

21

463223

10

6

43

8

14

1

7

2

543

District Boundaries

County Boundaries

9

KITSAP

PIERCE

JEFFERSON

GRAYS HARBOR

PACIFIC LEWIS

COWLITZSKAMANIA

KLICK I T A T

YAKIMA

BENTON

FRANKLIN

WALLA WALL A

COLUMBIA

GARFIELD

ASOTIN

WHITMANADAMS

LINCOLN

STEVENS

OKANOGAN

WHATCOM

SKAGIT

DOUGLAS

CHELAN

SNOHOMISH

KING

MASON

SAN JUAN

SPOKANE

PEND ORIELLE

GRANTKITTITAS

CLARK

CLALLAM

FERRY

ISLAND

WAHKIAKUM

SEE REVERSEFOR DETAIL SEE REVERSE

FOR DETAIL

SEE REVERSEFOR DETAIL

VANCOUVER AREA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTSDetail

SPOKANE AREA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTSDetail

PUGET SOUND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTSDetail

Look on the maps below and find your Legislative District. The Seattle, Spokane and Vancouver area districts are close together so it can be difficult to tell. Need help? Visit the legislative Web site at www.leg.wa.gov. Use "District Finder" to locate your district

and the members who represent you.

"I live in the District."

What District Do You Live In?

12

R C K J N O I S S E S M

E E H O W P M B I U R A

V P W A M E N D M E N T

I G N R M T S I V E Z X

T Y R F O B A N S C B I

A P A N E I E T E Y K N

T H W T X L F R N T O G

N I O R C L B O A I V A

E V Z E A R H D T E E B

S U Y K B O M U O Y R W

E E G A P W T C R K R A

R C O E A I V E B X I L

P P I P T Q X R U H D S

E L W S V A Z I K C E A

R G N I R A E H B F V H

M O T Y H M B U D G E T

C Y K G O V E R N O R E

Word Search

Activities Answers

A Pacific Chorus FrogState Amphibian, 2007

B Willow GoldfinchState Bird, 1928

C Square DanceState Dance, 1979

D Steelhead TroutState Fish, 1969

E State Flag1890s

F Coast RhododendronState Flower, 1959

G “Roll On, Columbia, Roll On”State Folk Song, 1987

H Columbian MammothState Fossil, 1998

I AppleState Fruit, 1989

J Petrified WoodState Gem, 1975

K Bluebunch WheatgrassState Grass, 1989

L Green Darner DragonflyState Insect, 1997

M OrcaState Marine Mammal, 2005

N State Seal1889

O The Lady WashingtonState Ship, 2007

P “Washington, My Home”State Song, 1959

Q State TartanA design for the weaving of cloth, 1991

R Western HemlockState Tree, 1947

S Walla Walla Sweet OnionState Vegetable, 2007

T MarmotState Endemic Mammal, 2009

U Palouse FallsState Waterfall, 2014

V Ostrea LuridaState Oyster, 2014

I

A

F

G

N

R

T

Q

M

B

L

D

E

H

V

I

P

K

J

O

U

C

State Symbols Answers

13

Match the answers on the left with the defi nitions on the right.

Legislative session held between regular sessions, usually to handle emergencies.

As the President of the Senate, this person presides over the Senate.

The number of legislative districts in Washington State.

A group of Senators or Representatives which schedules hearings to study bills and receive public testimony.

The length of a Senator’s term of offi ce.

Areas where public visitors may observe the Legislature in session.

The length of a Representative’s term of offi ce.

The annual meeting of the Legislature, beginning on the second Monday in January each year.

Presiding offi cer of the House of Representatives.

Lieutenant Governor

Special Session

49

Gallery

Committee

4 years

Regular Session

Speaker of the House

2 years

Match Game

For additional copies of this publication or other legislative information, please contact

The Legislative Information Center.

The Legislative Information Center (LIC) is a service provided by the Washington State Legislature . Information and documents about the legislative process can be obtained by:

• Calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-562-6000 • Calling the office at 360-786-7573 • Visiting LIC in Room 110 of the Legislative Building • E-mailing support@leg.wa.gov • Writing to:

The Legislative Information Center P.O. Box 40500 Olympia, WA 98504-0500

Please feel free to make copies of this document . You can download the document from the legislative web site at: http://leg .wa .gov/CivicEd/Documents/2014StudentGuideK-5 .pdf

Activities Answers

Your ideas count too!

Even though you can’t vote yet, you can still be involved and informed

about government.

You can:

● Write a letter or email to your Legislator

● Talk to people who can vote ● Visit the Legislature’s

website ● Apply to be a Page at the

Legislature (14-16 yr olds) ● Visit the Capitol with your

family or your class ● Go to town hall meetings in

your hometown ● Watch the Legislature

in action on TVW!

Write a LetterOne of the best ways to communicate is to write a letter . To do so, include your Senator’s or Representative’s name and one of the following addresses on a stamped envelope:

For the Senate: (Senator’s Name) PO Box 40482 Olympia, WA 98504-0482

For the House: (Representative’s Name) PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

The Legislature OnlineOn the website you’ll find resources for finding and contacting your Legislators, researching bills, applying for the Page Program, and much more! Check it out at www .leg .wa .gov .

Visit the Capitol CampusWe encourage you to personally visit the state capitol campus in Olympia . We have a tour office which can arrange a fun and interesting tour for your class or your family throughout the year .

It is best to give them as much advance notice as possible . They can be reached at (360) 902-8880 .

Washington is only one of seven states that doesn't have a personal income tax.

Rev . 11/16 SP

Contacting Your Legislator